Figure 37: Productive green facade

to-table office scheme where all of the food is grown, harvested, prepared and served ‗on site‘- in the cafeterias within the office.

Within the office space, 3995 square metres is dedicated to the green spaces that nurtures well over two hundred species of plants including fruits, vegetables and rice. It is not just a passive ‗green‘ building which has plants growing on the rooftops and on the façade, it is an actively productive environment where food is grown, harvested and consumed under the same roof.

Figure 37: Productive green facade

 Increasing awareness: It is a part of a larger scheme to allow farming in the urban areas of japan and to encourage future urban farmers. Regular educational workshops are conducted where outside

community members can

participate and learn the practice of farming  Relieving stress: Studies show that most people on the urbanised societies today who spend 80% of their time indoors face increased levels of stress. The building not only allows communicating to urban dwellers about farms and the art of growing plants, it also actively engages the workers by breaking the visual monotony that we usually get used to seeing in urban office spaces The plants grown at Pasona are tended by the workers in the office on a daily basis as a part of their regular work schedule as a way of de-stressing. A team of agricultural experts also preside over them and closely monitor the produce and consumption.  Communication and teamwork: The staff of Pasona is also asked to

participate in harvesting the crops along with the agricultural specialists.

Such activities not only encourage social interaction and communication amongst the different units of the office, it also leads to better teamwork on the job, along with instilling within them a sense of responsibility and accomplishment in growing, maintaining and harvesting the food that is to be served to them and their co-workers in the building‘s cafeteria.  Improving air quality: The air conditioning required as a part of the office environment also provides the right temperature for the growth of certain varieties of plants. That temperature maintained in the office remains comfortable to both plants and humans. The air quality is maintained by the presence of plants that take in the carbon-dioxide from the air while giving out oxygen. Alongside Carbon sequestration, the plants also remove VOC‘s (Volatile Organic Compounds) from the air and reduces the risk of ‗sick building syndrome‘. Thus the system is to a huge extent self-sustained and cyclic in nature.